Chapter 671: Chapter 670
Yang Fei raised his eyebrows, "Did people study this wooden box?"
Hu Lizhong nodded, "Yes, after obtaining it, Imperial City tried to open the wooden box to check its contents, but many methods failed to open it. Unless special forceful measures are used, there is concern about damaging the contents."
Yang Fei nodded.
He took over the wooden box and carefully observed it.
This elongated ancient sandalwood box felt extremely heavy, as if it carried the weight of a world inside.
The wooden box was dark all over, with hidden hints of deep red. However, the passage of time had deeply embedded the red within the wood’s grain, making it obscure and barely visible.
Around the wooden box, six runes were carved.
These ancient runes gave off a profound and archaic aura at first glance, even instilling a terrifying illusion.
It seemed to remind those who saw it not to touch it carelessly.
Yang Fei’s eyes lit up upon seeing the runes.
Remarkably, these runes were not included in the Taoist scriptures passed down by his mentor, Huang Chengcheng.
They were different from the runes he had learned.
Yet, for some reason, Yang Fei felt these runes were the ancient runes mentioned in the Taoist Rune Chapter.
According to the Taoist Talismanic Scripture, ancient runes were the earliest type of runes.
These runes allegedly could directly connect with the power of Heaven and Earth, and comprehending each innate rune could control a unique cosmic force, unparalleled and mysterious.
However, the Taoist Rune Chapter mentioned very little about ancient runes, lacked rune templates, and did not teach how to identify them.
Yang Fei was wholly basing his belief that the runes on the wooden box were ancient runes on his intuition.
This was because the runes allowed Yang Fei to perceive an intangible Taoist charm.
Only innate runes inherently contain the laws of the Tao of Heaven and Earth.
At the time, Yang Fei scoffed at these records.
Although it was already mysterious enough to be able to cultivate, Yang Fei found the talisman-related matters overly superstitious and remained skeptical until he recently crafted the Gathering Spirit Array and personally carved runes to create a talisman with special effects, which led him to a new understanding and acceptance of the art of runes.
Now, seeing these ancient runes, he was even more convinced that this world was far more mysterious than he had previously understood.
Ancient runes needed to be comprehended with the heart.
Once fully understood, it was akin to grasping a cosmic Taoist law.
Currently, there were six runes on this wooden box.
Each one was different.
After a brief moment of shock, Yang Fei was deeply captivated by these runes.
Soon, two hours had passed.
Hu Lizhong called Yang Fei several times, but Yang Fei did not hear him, nor did he respond; therefore, Old Hu did not disturb him further and instead remained vigilantly on guard here to prevent others from interrupting Yang Fei.
Outside Yunwu Valley.
After Yang Fei entered the room where the Array Eye was located, Qin Yanyang lost all surveillance on Yang Fei.
That room had no surveillance or listening devices installed.
Even the soundproofing in that room was extremely effective, like an isolated world where even the most penetrating signal waves could be blocked.
More than two hours had passed, Yang Fei and Hu Lizhong had not come out nor made any other movement, which made Qin Yanyang puzzled and gradually lose patience.
Concern leads to chaos.
She wasn’t concerned about Yang Fei, but was worried that if there was a problem with the Array Eye, this Gathering Spirit Array would become irreparable.
Yunwu Mountain’s Base had already become a vital location for the nation, its research being the largest strategic direction for Divine Continent Country’s future. The importance to the country and its people was self-evident.
Please, let there be no problems.
Qin Yanyang thought silently.
Imperial City, the Duanmu Family.
Within the secluded courtyard of Duanmu Han’s meditation, he had been absent from the eyes of his clan for over a month.
Over the years, Duanmu Han had aged and long disengaged from worldly affairs. However, it was rare for him to confine himself in a room for such a long time without stepping out for a breath of fresh air or a walk.
If it weren’t for people frequently coming over to check on him and hearing him speak, the members of the Duanmu Family would worry if the old man had passed away.
"How much longer do you need?" Duanmu Han asked slowly, looking at the three people sitting opposite him.
These three had been in Imperial City for a month and had stayed in this courtyard for the same duration.
Duanmu Han only knew one of them.
Zhang Wenfeng.
He didn’t know the other two, only aware that they shared the surname Zhuge, because Zhang Wenfeng acted rather humbly in front of them, referring to them respectfully as Mr. Zhuge.
While Duanmu Han wasn’t very familiar with the Hidden Sect World, he knew enough.
He knew the Zhuge family held a high status in the Hidden Sect, and the terrifying deathly pressure brought by the two Mr. Zhuges when they first met made him dare not harbor any thoughts of defiance.
It wasn’t that Duanmu Han feared death.
Having lived a long life, he had enjoyed everything that a person could; even the things ordinary people hadn’t, he had. He didn’t cling much to life or have any regrets about leaving it.
But the lives of his large family, dozens of direct descendants, he could not disregard.
Moreover, the Duanmu Family he relied on within the Hidden Sect had degraded themselves to gambling on both sides.
If that clan itself was so, what more could he do?
"Soon, soon, Brother Duanmu need not worry," said Zhang Wenfeng with a smile, seeing that the two from the Zhuge family didn’t speak.
Duanmu Han had repeatedly tried to solicit some useful information indirectly these days, but the three of them were tight-lipped, not mentioning a word of information they were not supposed to reveal.
He didn’t know what kind of storm they were brewing, but he understood that once the storm hit, it would be with the fury of thunder and shake the entire continent.
"I can only hope that when the time comes, you gentlemen will keep your word and ensure the safe withdrawal of everyone in the Duanmu Family," Duanmu Han sighed helplessly.
Zhang Wenfeng laughed heartily: "Rest assured, not only shall we ensure the Duanmu Family remains untroubled, but we also promise prosperity and richness for your clan in the future. Additionally, we will spare that girl surnamed Qin. After all, she carries the blood of the Duanmu Family, and she holds high prestige in some circles in Divine Continent. As long as she is wise, she will have space to pursue her ambitions in the future. This is the promise from the Zhuge family to you, and we will not forget it."
Upon hearing that girl mentioned, a bitter expression appeared on Duanmu Han’s face, and he sighed, "If she knows the backstabbing deeds of the Duanmu Family, she will definitely not forgive us. Knowing her temperament, she would rather die than comply."
Upon hearing this, a chilly light flashed in Zhang Wenfeng’s eyes as he coldly said, "It all depends on her choice then. If she remains stubbornly unyielding, then death is her only path."
Duanmu Han painfully closed his eyes.
Facing this overwhelming surge, he and the Duanmu Family seemed so insignificant.
If they did not adapt to this tremendous torrent, they would be utterly annihilated.
"Has that young man managed to undo the seal yet?"
Just then, one of the two men from the Zhuge family, the taller and burlier one, suddenly spoke.
The other was of average height and looked like a kindly, benevolent old man, lacking the aura and demeanor of a superior being.
He smiled faintly and shook his head, saying, "The third brother said that young man is the only one who might break the seal, so we must trust him. Moreover, our other plans can only proceed if the third brother succeeds. Otherwise, without that place as a foundation and considering the current situation, our Zhuge family cannot lead the Hidden Sect."
The burly elder’s eyes flashed with confidence as he asserted, "Third brother’s decision can’t be wrong. If he says it’s possible, then it definitely is."